The Detroit Lions have made significant efforts to bolster their cornerback position this offseason. However, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine suggested on June 4 that the Lions could still make a major move by signing former All-Pro Xavien Howard before the 2024 season.
Ballentine identified the Lions as one of the top three landing spots for Howard, stating, “The Detroit Lions could bolster their cornerback room in an attempt to get back to the NFC Championship Game.”
![100+] Xavien Howard Wallpapers | Wallpapers.com](https://wallpapers.com/images/featured/xavien-howard-b9u1890gub4t3kwf.jpg)
Howard, who made three consecutive Pro Bowls for the Miami Dolphins from 2020 to 2022, also earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and received a Pro Bowl nomination in 2018. Despite a decline in interceptions over the past two years, Howard remains a formidable presence in the secondary, leading the NFL in interceptions twice, most recently in 2020, and consistently ranking among the league leaders in pass defenses.
The Dolphins released Howard this offseason to free up cap space, making him an attractive option for teams seeking cornerback help. The Lions have been previously mentioned as a potential destination for Howard by other media outlets, highlighting the team’s interest in strengthening their secondary.
However, the Lions have already made several notable additions to their cornerback group this offseason, including acquiring Carlton Davis via trade and signing Amik Robertson to a contract. In the NFL draft, they selected Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw in the early rounds. Additionally, they re-signed veterans Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Vildor, and Emmanuel Moseley.
While the Lions’ cornerback depth appears improved, championship-caliber teams can never have enough depth at key positions. The performance of rookies Arnold and Rakestraw in minicamp and training camp may influence the team’s decision to pursue Howard further. If the rookies demonstrate readiness, the Lions may opt to rely on their younger talent rather than pursue another veteran cornerback. However, if the rookies encounter challenges, adding Howard to start opposite Davis could be an enticing prospect for the Lions’ defense.
